ABUAD Partners with Interswitch to Drive Renewed Innovation through Discovery Series

Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has been selected as the host institution for the next edition of the Discovery Series, a flagship programme of the Interswitch Group designed to equip undergraduate and postgraduate students with cutting-edge knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, and innovation-driven opportunities.

At the inaugural hybrid meeting held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, ABUAD’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, expressed appreciation to Interswitch for choosing ABUAD. She noted that the partnership aligns seamlessly with the University’s mission to nurture innovation, deepen research, and uphold academic excellence with impact reaching Nigeria, Africa, and the global community.

“It is one thing to produce graduates; it is another to produce market-ready graduates. This programme brings us closer to our vision and expectations. As Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, I am both delighted and grateful for this collaboration,” Prof. Olarinde stated.

The Vice-Chancellor also used the occasion to extend an invitation to Interswitch to attend ABUAD’s 13th Convocation Ceremony scheduled for October 14–21, 2025, describing the event as an opportunity to celebrate excellence, innovation, and global partnerships.

Speaking on behalf of Interswitch, Programme Manager, Ms. Mosunmola Mare, emphasized that the initiative is tailored to students with drive and passion for entrepreneurship.

“Interswitch is giving back to the university community. With our fully equipped innovation lab in Lagos, we are eager to empower more students in Nigeria and across Africa to become solution providers and change-makers,” she said.

Among others also present at the inaugural meeting is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Innovation and Strategic Planning- Prof. Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, FCIArb; Provost College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Abiodun Ojo and Director International Collaboration and Linkages, Prof. Adeniran Afolalu, Director ICT, Prof. Adebayo Ogundipe.

Following the success of the 2024 inaugural edition, the Discovery Series continues to inspire creativity through immersive workshops, dynamic pitch competitions, and interactive engagements. The programme is designed to equip participants with practical tools to transform ideas into scalable solutions that create lasting impact in their communities and beyond.

With preparations already in top gear, the ABUAD edition of the Discovery Series is expected to debut with a three-day programme slated for the last week of November 2025.